TargeTraining Women Eclipse All in State Championship

Buoyed with confidence from months of hard training and racing, TargeTraining’s Women’s Running Team took on Connecticut’s best, Sunday, at the 5 Mile State Championship and emerged victorious in all divisions.

United State Track & Field sponsors the annual 8 race Championship Series, offering prize money to top teams and individuals.  After testing the waters in 2012, running coach Timothy Milenkevich constructed a talented roster to contend with, and ultimately defeat the top teams in 2013.

Aili diBonaventuraReturning to the race for the second time, Aili diBonaventura, Libby Kaplan, and Kim Driscoll sought redemption in their division after losing the team title by 2 seconds in 2012.  Libby led the way in 7:17 pace to finish 2nd in the age group, just 2 seconds off 1st.  Kim Driscoll closed with determination in 38:10 and continues a return to the supreme form that saw her win an age-group state title over the 5-Mile distance in 2012.  Punctuating the trio’s efforts was Aili diBonaventura’s 2 minute improvement from last year, it was enough to lift the team to a slim 9 second victory over the Milford Road Runners.

The master’s division was highlighted by Christine Vincent and Liz West, rolling through theChristine Vincent finish line in 33:50 and 34:28 respectively.  Interestingly enough, Christine’s race included a 6:28 mile, run in the initial 5280 feet.  It was personal best by 10 seconds and not part of her coach’s premeditated race plan.  “I felt good,” she said.  Jana Oreijo and Diane Benke ran together to finish under 40 minutes and gained valuable race experience the team will call on in future races. Libby Kaplan was the third master’s scorer, as USATF allows for placement in lower age divisions, her inclusion helped Diane Benke TargeTraining earn a 2 minute advantage over the next best team.

The surprise of the day was Anna Pluta, a new face at TargeTraining, capturing 2nd place in the 30-39 age group, it was her first race, ever.  Tim Milenkevich further solidified TargeTraining’s open division chances by recruiting a former teammate, Sara Belles, from his previous, and now-disbanded HiTek Racing Team.   Joined by Liz West dropping down a division, TT was unstoppable and concluded their clean sweep of the team competition with a 4 minute triumph in the open division.

The comradery of the day was palpable, and the atmosphere undampered by 10 degree wind chills, or the icy roads.  The team looks forward to the next race in the Connecticut Grand Prix on March 3rd in New Haven. 

Any runners interested in joining the team should contact Timothy@ttwestport.com

Full Team Results:

http://usatf-ct.org/teamresults.aspx?raceid=25733

Top: Christine Vincent, Sara Belles, Libby Kaplan, Tim Milenkevich, Anna Pluta, Jana Oreijo Bottom: Kim Driscoll, Diane Benke, Aili diBonaventura